"Local authorities are turning into mailboxes": Chelny has been deprived of housing control

      The municipality will no longer control compliance with housing legislation – these functions will be taken over by the republic

      Powers are transferred to the region

      In Naberezhnye Chelny, municipal housing control will cease to operate from September. The corresponding decision was made by the city council deputies at a regular session, fulfilling the requirements of federal legislation. The head of the city economy and public utilities department of the Chelny executive committee, Ruslan Vildanov, reminded that the changes are provided for by the Federal Law of February 20, 2026. "From September 1, 2026, municipal housing control in the territory of the municipal formation of the city of Naberezhnye Chelny is abolished. The powers to control the housing stock are transferred to regional state housing supervision authorities," he reported. In this regard, the deputies were proposed to recognize the Regulation on Municipal Housing Control, which has been in effect since 2021, as invalid.

      "Local authorities are essentially turning into mailboxes"

      Deputy Tatyana Guryeva opposed the decision. In her opinion, transferring powers to the regional level reduces the ability of local self-government bodies to influence housing and communal services issues. "I believe that this is essentially the abolition of local self-government. In fact, local authorities will no longer be able to influence the quality of housing and communal services. Local authorities are essentially turning into mailboxes where people will turn, and the authorities will be unable to take any action," she said. The deputy also noted that municipalities have been consistently stripped of a number of powers in recent years while retaining responsibility to residents.

      "Who, if not us, knows the life of the municipality"

      The mayor of Naberezhnye Chelny, Nail Magdeev, emphasized that the city is obliged to comply with federal legislation, but acknowledged that the reduction of municipal authority raises questions. "The law is harsh, but this is the law," said Nail Magdeev, quoting the well-known Latin saying Dura lex, sed lex. "We are obliged to obey the laws that are adopted in the territory of the Russian Federation," said the head of the city. At the same time, he noted that municipal authorities work daily with residents and know the situation on the ground better than anyone else. "All life takes place in the territory of the municipal formation. Who, if not us, municipal authorities, knows real life, sees what is happening on the ground here in the municipality? And we believe that it is unjustified, to say the least," said Magdeev. According to him, municipal employees have sufficient experience and competence to perform such powers. "We believe that we are no less experienced, no less qualified people. Municipalities need to be trusted," emphasized the mayor.

      "Municipalities pull and solve many issues on their shoulders"

      During the discussion, Magdeev reminded that the transfer of powers to the regional level is not happening for the first time. As an example, he cited changes in the field of urban planning, when, starting January 1, 2026, the issuance of construction permits was transferred to the republic level. In the mayor's opinion, municipal authorities have repeatedly proven their ability to effectively solve local issues. "Life has shown that municipalities pull and solve many issues on their shoulders. We see this both in the context of the special military operation and saw it earlier in difficult times. This is my personal point of view, as a leader, as a municipal employee who has worked in municipal authorities for over 25 years," he noted. At the same time, Magdeev emphasized that, despite his own position, local self-government bodies are obliged to comply with current legislation. "Since we are elected by the citizens of the city, since we are trusted by the leadership of the republic, then trust us. If you do not trust – appoint those whom you trust," said the mayor. The head of the city admitted that he does not understand the motives for further transferring powers. "There is complete trust from the head of our republic, there is trust from the half-million city. Therefore, we believe that we can perform those powers that, unfortunately, are now going to a higher level. Apparently, there are some other arguments that we may not know about, having worked for 25 years in government. Apparently, this is a secret of Polichinelle. Such is life," noted Magdeev.

      What will change for residents

      The very decision of the City Council means that from September 1, municipal housing control in Chelny will cease to exist. The powers to oversee compliance with housing legislation are transferred to the State Housing Inspection of Tatarstan. For most residents, the changes are unlikely to be noticeable immediately. However, complaints about violations in the field of housing legislation will have to be directed to the state housing supervision authorities, while the municipality loses one of the tools for direct control.

      Photo: nabchelny.ru

      More news about the event:

      "Local authorities are turning into mailboxes": Chelny deprived of housing control

      The municipality will no longer control compliance with housing legislation – these functions will be taken over by the republic

      Powers are transferred to the region

      In Naberezhnye Chelny, municipal housing control will cease to operate from September. The corresponding decision was made by the city council deputies at a regular session, fulfilling the requirements of federal legislation. 13:05 29.07.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      Magdeev on the withdrawal of powers from the city in housing and communal services: "Do we really have less experience?"

      Today, at the 8th meeting of the city council of Naberezhnye Chelny, deputies decided to transfer municipal housing control powers to the State Housing Inspection of Tatarstan starting September 1. 12:09 29.07.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      "This is not quite fair to us": Magdeev on the abolition of municipal housing control

      Naberezhnye Chelny will lose municipal housing control starting September 1. The corresponding changes were approved today by the city council deputies in connection with the requirements of federal legislation. 11:36 29.07.2026 Newspaper Vesti KAMAZ - Naberezhnye Chelny

      Guryeva on housing and communal services control: "Local authorities are turning into mailboxes"

      In Naberezhnye Chelny, municipal housing control will be abolished starting September 1, 2026. 10:17 29.07.2026 Chelny-Biz.Ru - Naberezhnye Chelny

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      In the Moscow region, mailboxes have been repaired in more than 500 entrances

      original Photo: press service of the ministry for the maintenance of territories and state housing supervision of the Moscow region

      Repairs and replacements of mailboxes have been carried out since the beginning of this year in more than 500 entrances of multi-story buildings. 11:02 27.07.2026 RTV-Podmoskovie - Podmoskovie